Prayers for Japan

Konichiwa, friends!

As you learned in my last post, my husband and I are going with his Seminary to Japan on a missions trip. Our aim is to see what God is doing in Japan, to make connections, and to encourage Christians living there, to spread the Gospel when we get the opportunity, and to share what we find!

We have have had a tough last month of this semester as the workload piles up; spending time with God took a back-burner and I have the emotions to prove it! I always seem to do this to myself- the self destructive spiral of not prioritizing him catches me in the end and I end up sad or stressed, or needlessly angry! I have a lot more discipline to learn from God but I'm so glad he keeps leading me back to him. He is so faithful.

I want to thank you for the love and support you have shown George and I in our preparation for the Japan missions trip. Our fundraising page has met its goal and I praise God for his care and provision. I hope its a reassurance that he wants us to spend more time in prayer about moving to Japan but G is still unsure of the idea. Thank you all for your financial contributions from the bottom of my heart. Because of you, I do not have an excuse for worrying about this being the right spot I felt God leading us or of affording it with college coming up for me in the fall.

I also want to take this opportunity to share a prayer list the IMB made of 30 ways you can be praying for the Japanese people. In my research, I have found that there is just no interest in religion in any form, much less an "outsider's" religion as it is known there. The media has portrayed Christianity in a very bad light and that is usually the only source for the Japanese public to learn about it.

As you see below in the prayer list, to be Japanese is not just an ethnicity. It is also an identity. To go against their ideologies is to, in some ways, be separated from their culture. This creates a rift not unlike that of a new believer in a Muslim context where friends and family can be ashamed, scared of, or turn their back on the new Christian. If you would, print out this list of prayers and lift this unreached country up to God, maybe once a week in your prayer time. Without a revival, generations of this high-populated country will remain blind to the light we have in Christ, our Savior.

If you only have a little time now, I'll recap what is listed below for you to pray over:
The Japanese are a unreached nation, with 0.7% Christians living among the 127 million. Most do not see a need for religion, or to step out of conformity. Most feel a greater need to consider others' comfort above seeking God, even if they know He is tugging on their heart. Pray that they will recognize a need for answers and a real, steadfast hope and peace in their society's stress and current social upheaval.  Pray that the Japanese will be unable to resist or reject the Father's love that is so great and personal.

Thank you for these prayers and dedication to this mission.

-lindy˚roo



Prayer for the Japanese People by the IMB

1. Just as Japan was literally shaken to her ancient core by the earthquake of March 2011, pray that the Holy Spirit will awake and remake the country in His image

2. Pray that the Japanese who have filled their lives with materialism, religious traditions, and culture will see the deep spiritual void in their lives and turn to the living God.

3. Most Japanese have never heard the Gospel explained in terms that make sense to them. Pray all will have the chance to hear and put their trust in Jesus!

4. Most Japanese have never owned a Bible nor had a Christian friend. Pray that each Japanese person will have the opportunity to read or hear the Gospel.

5. The economic slowdown has led to a record number of people becoming displaced. Pray that new believers among the Japanese homeless will share with fellow homeless.

6. Magazines and books about Christianity have been very popular in recent years. Pray that through reading these materials, many will receive Christ as Savior.

7. Many Japanese have lost their faith in their government. Pray that they will place their trust in the One who will never fail them.

8. Even if most Japanese were to feel a need for God, they might feel they are too busy for Him. Pray that the nation will slow down and hear His voice.

9. Ask that the Japanese people will acknowledge the power of God, His majesty and holiness, and that many will receive the salvation he offers.

10. Japan has one of the largest populations of seniors in the world. Pray for opportunities to share with them God's love, forgiveness, and assurance of new life.

11. Pray that denominations serving in Japan will be unified by His Spirit and focused on bringing glory to Him.

12. Although the Bible is readily available in Japanese, many consider it a book for foreigners. Pray that throngs will come to understand God's Word is their guide for life.

13. Many Japanese Christians are shy and reluctant to share their faith. Ask God to give them boldness to share the Gospel with friends, family, and acquaintances.

14. Sadly, Japan's suicide rate is the highest among the nations. Pray that Japanese will realize suicide is a permanent response to a temporary problem.

15. Japan businessmen are busy, focused, and see little need for faith in someone other than themselves. Pray for open doors and divine encounters.

16.  Thank God for the house church movement taking root in Japan. Pray that seekers will not be afraid to visit believers' homes for Bible study and fellowship.

17. Pray that the Father will call harvest workers in great abundance to the unengaged cities of Japan and that His children will receive His call with joyful obedience.

18. There is tremendous pressure to conform in the monolithic, homogenous Japanese culture. Pray that the Japanese believers will be able to apply biblical truth on a daily basis.

19. Fewer than one out of every 200 Japanese have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Pray that the Light of the World will extinguish spiritual darkness.

20. "The nail that sticks up will be knocked down," is a well known Japanese saying. Pray that Japanese Christians will be willing to "stick out" for Christ, trusting God to strengthen and use them.

21. Large populations of Japanese can be found in Peru and Brazil. Pray for Christian workers that encounter Japanese people in their lives anywhere in the world will minister to them.

22. Secular Japanese pop music is filled with lyrics about lost love, isolation, and loneliness. Pray that God will raise up radiant Christian musicians to impact young listeners.

23. Pray that the Father will call out a new generation of pastors in Japan, where many pastors are already beyond retirement age.

24. Japan is a nation of hardworking people. Pray that they will find rest for their souls in God's unfailing, everlasting arms.

25. Japan has a huge industry of gaming and technology. Pray that Christians will reach out to that niche online sharing their spiritual connection to the Living God.

26. Pray that Japanese in the cities where missionaries are located are unable to resist or reject His love that is so awesomely yet tenderly given.

27. Japan is at a point in its history where it is experiencing unprecedented social upheaval. Pray that the uncertainty will cause many to seek God who never changes.

28. Despite all the beauty and efficiency of Japan, there are wide barriers between the Japanese people and the True God. Pray that all will have a chance to know our Creator God.

29. Ask God to strengthen workers as they continue to minister following the March 2011 earthquake.  Pray His blessings on the Japanese who are still recovering and living in temporary housing.

30. Some have called Japan a "missionary graveyard." Yet God, through one generation of missionaries after another, continues to lovingly call the Japanese to life. Thank Him!

31. Pray that the land of the rising sun will become the land of the Risen Son in our generation as Jesus Christ is worshiped throughout Japan.